By golly the 2014 CMA Awards actually had some country on them, courtesy of Song of the Year winner Kacey Musgraves, and one big surprise guest.

The looming question heading into Wednesday’s CMA festivities was who would be the “surprise country legend” being touted by producers as the night’s big unannounced performer. “There’s going to be a surprise guest in one of our performances from one of the biggest legends of country music of all time,”said CMA Executive Producer Robert Deaton. “I’ll just leave it at that. It’s going to be a great moment when people are going to want to get out their phones.”

Lo and behold, when it was Kacey Musgraves’ turn to take the stage, the backdrop was in the form of the WSM Grand Ole Opry barn, and she wasn’t signing one of her award-winning singles like “Merry Go ‘Round” or “Follow Your Arrow,” she was singing Loretta Lynn’s “You’re Looking At Country,” with surprise guest Loretta joining her from stage left during the second verse.

But apparently Loretta’s appearance wasn’t the only surprising storyline of the performance. As the bouffant-haired Musgraves revealed afterwards, her panties “fell off” right before she was scheduled to go on stage.

“Right before I sang, my panties totally came off,” Musgraves told reporters during a backstage press conference. “They were the stick-on kind. Look at this dress, there’s not much to work with. So they were stuck on. And then they weren’t stuck on, and the curtain was about to come up, so literally I had to rip them off and throw them to the side. In case you see ‘em, they’re mine.”

But the show must go on, and did to the tune of Musgraves and Loretta receiving a standing ovation from the CMA crowd.

“Do you know what this means for country music?” Kacey Musgraves said while accepting her Song of the Year trophy for “Follow Your Arrow.” It didn’t just mean something because of the progressive slant of Kacey’s “Follow Your Arrow” song with both its accepting nature of gays and marijuana. It meant something because it was also—and maybe ironically—coming from one of the most traditional country artists in mainstream music today. Kacey Musgraves has crafted a way to make traditional country seem cool and hip again, and it’s sticking, even if her adhesive undies aren’t.

I agree with your personality comment. I think what’s kept me from warming up to Musgraves his her cold, sterile demeanor. I love this story and what she did last night – perform with Loretta. I’d like to see more of her personality in her songs and performances going forward.

I completely agree. It has been a real roadblock for me. When a person’s personality shines thru their music much else can be overlooked. Until now, all I had was her words because I’m not that crazy about how she uses her voice.

In Canada, never heard of Kasey, and never heard that song til it was referred to after the CMA Awards. That it was an online hit and highly touted outside country radio, makes me wonder how it found its way onto the stage and into an award at the CMA’s.

There is a history of awarding songs such as “Follow Your Arrow” by the CMA when the voters think a song has a message or a sentiment that is somehow groundbreaking or moves the genre in a positive direction. It is not always a commercial hit. That is what Single of the Year is for. Think of “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” or “Murder on Music Row.”

Greg N. that was not funny, but very wrong, Loretta is a real lady, and was nice enough to go through rehearsals, hair, make up and the hot lights, for less than a minute airtime. Loretta would never have worn a dress so short it required “stick on panties”. You don’t stand next to the Queen of Country Music with your vajayjay about to fall out. Totally Classless.

Loretta would think you’re a stick in the mud. I thought Kacey looked adorable – and her dress is no different than the ones my peers wore to events in the 70s. It’s youth following their times and it’s fabulous. I saw an old CMA video of Tanya Tucker from 15-18 years ago and she was probably considered pretty risque for this ridiculously prudish, judgmental genre, too.

Gee Liza, the letter I got from Loretta on Monday, didn’t say Cathy you are a stick in the mud, it said Keep in touch. Why would you attempt to say what Loretta would think? I don’t particularly care what Tanya Tucker wore way back when.

I can understand if you oppose smoking weed, but what exactly is wrong with accepting homosexuals?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I hope you didn’t mean THAT, but if you did, you’re wrong. It’s not your opinion, so don’t come back with that. It’s wrong. Any kind of hatred or prejudice is wrong, whether you like it or not.

It’s not like there’s never been liberal messages in country songs before. You can enjoy an artist or a song and not agree with them politically. Damn, the political polarization in this country is cancerous – it invades everything.

I agree with you on the state of politics in this country. Frankly, the issues are secondary; it’s us vs. them, win at all costs, to hell with good sportsmanship or the views of roughly half of a candidate’s potential constituents.

And frankly, I don’t see this song as promoting any particular agenda. It’s basically saying that someone is going to look down on you regardless of what choice you make so you might as well do what’s right for you. It swings both ways in its message.

Exactamundo. She has a plain jane voice and I along with quite a few others mistook “Merry Go ‘Round” for a Taylor Swift song for a month or so before learning who she was. She has a cold personality and comes across as a bitch in interviews (which isn’t a term I use regularly). I’m not even all that impressed with her songwriting.

Let’s be honest here: if country music were still of the quality it was in 2005 or so, NO ONE would even notice Kacey (much less even older music). It’s only now that we’ve scraped through the bottom of the barrel in the mainstream that mediocrity suddenly seems like the cat’s meow. I know that’s harsh, but all this press for Kacey just seems to be making a lot of noise for what amounts to little. For instance, I don’t get all the fuss about her and Loretta. Is it cool that Loretta appeared on the show and that Kacey invited her? Yes it is, and kudos to Ms. Musgraves for her good taste. But ultimately the actual performance would have been more interesting with a different performer sparring with the Coal Miner’s Daughter. Heck, even Taylor Swift would have made a more interesting duet partner and she wouldn’t have had to lose her panties to do it. She just happens to have a warm personality.

Screw it then, next year we’ll give the slot to Sam Hunt and Loretta Lynn can stay at Butcher Holler and watch the CMA’s on TV and wonder to herself what the hell has happened to the genre she worked so hard to build. Why would the CMA producers consider featuring more traditional artists, more songwriters, and more females if the same constituencies they’re trying to appeal to bitch when they’re given what they wanted?

Pardon me, Trigger, but I just don’t like Kacey Musgraves. I haven’t said a damn thing about the CMA’s thus far aside from a crack about George Strait, so forgive me if I don’t think voicing dissent against one artist represents the constituency bitching. I don’t like Kacey Musgraves. I’ve said as much several times in the past and I appear to be in the minority. You have voiced similar feelings about Jamey Johnson in the past, and if we were to take a poll I guarantee you that he’d come out on top in the good will department.

Also, most importantly, Kacey Musgraves, from the few songs I’ve heard, is NOT my idea of “more traditional.” On the contrary, I’d categorize the singles I’ve bothered to put ears to just as less garbage. More traditional? I call that Brett Detar, Ray Scott, Jamey Johnson, Clint Black, Ricky Van Shelton and Montgomery Gentry (before they went tits up). I didn’t watch the CMA’s because I knew better. I haven’t in years. I’m just tired of hearing about Kacey, whom in my mind represents an artist that isn’t anything special but is getting lauded like she is because she doesn’t make bro-country.

Kacey’s singles have not been flattering whatsoever, and I wouldn’t blame you or others for judging her negatively upon them. As I continue to say, I’m not some huge fan of Kacey Musgraves. But I am a fan over music getting better, and I believe that is symbolized by Kacey Musgraves. Maybe you did not mention the CMA’s, but that was the entire point of this point, and as illustrated by many comments, including your own, there’s a lot of people hung up on this perception of Kacey instead of enjoying the moment that I looked to highlight here. Again, part of it is Kacey’s fault, but like I’ve said with Jamey Johnson in the past, you can feel like music is tired, but still appreciate it for what it is.

“Kacey”™s singles have not been flattering whatsoever, and I wouldn”™t blame you or others for judging her negatively upon them. As I continue to say, I”™m not some huge fan of Kacey Musgraves. But I am a fan over music getting better, and I believe that is symbolized by Kacey Musgraves. Maybe you did not mention the CMA”™s, but that was the entire point of this point, and as illustrated by many comments, including your own, there”™s a lot of people hung up on this perception of Kacey instead of enjoying the moment that I looked to highlight here. Again, part of it is Kacey”™s fault, but like I”™ve said with Jamey Johnson in the past, you can feel like music is tired, but still appreciate it for what it is.”

I’m sorry about that, then. I’ve been meaning to lend ears to Same Trailer, Different Park to properly contextualize my feelings but haven’t had the time. Who knows? With my luck, I’ll end up liking it and having to eat my words as well as a healthy dose of crow at the same time. All I know is, she’d probably better get her singles situation straightened out or she might lose her mainstream prominence. After all, radio seems to rule the day with mainstream country music.

Yes, and Trigger tends to not lend Mr. Johnson much credit. Also, the key difference would be that Jamey doesn’t come across as a jerk like Kacey does, nor a know-it-all that drops f-bombs constantly in interviews to seem progressive. Perhaps most important is that he’s made music that leaves an impression.

You are acting like the best artists are the best singers. That’s not true. Many of the greatest artists of the past 50-70 years had limited voices. Bob Dylan. John Mellencamp. Hell, George Strait is pretty damn limited. The days of the greatest singers being the greatest arties–George Jones, Keith Whitley, Waylon Jennings, etc–they’re mostly gone. Most of the best country artists don’t have great voices.

That wasn’t the point I was trying to make, I was just going down the generalized list of artistic traits. Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash also had limited voices. Robert Christgau once claimed that Kris Kristofferson had “no relation to key,” but I love his music. Toby Keith can’t really sing but I like his music too. Big Kenny has one of the most unrefined voices I’ve ever heard but if you’ve read any of my other comments around here you know that I’m a huge fan of his and John Rich. On the flip-side, I don’t really care for Miranda Lambert and Adele CAN sing, but I can live without ever hearing any of their songs again.

The point I was trying to make was that I just don’t understand Kacey Musgraves’ appeal when she doesn’t seem to have anything special, voice included.

“I had a pair of panties that she [gave] me…. They never did tear up, I don’t know what happened to ’em. Them panties was the panties I ever seen.”

Boom!

And by the way, if people think Kacey is stirring the pot too much with “Follow Your Arrow,” I can’t help but wonder how folks reacted back when Loretta Lynn released “The Pill” as a single in 1975. I mean, good God. Not to mention some the stuff she talked about in her “Coal Miner’s Daughter” book. I think Loretta probably ruffled a lot of people’s feathers back then. There just weren’t any internet message boards to document the discussion.

I’m glad that Kacey won Song of the Year. This is truly a step in the right direction. I truly hope that artists like Sturgill, Kacey, Stoney, Ryan and Wade are nominated next year. There are a lot of great artists releasing music this year.

It may just be me but I don’t find Follow Your Arrow to be anything but mediocre – it’s an average to below-average song with an unoriginal message. I think the only reason this song won is that the CMA people want to seem ‘progressive’. Just because Musgraves isn’t ‘mainstream’ doesn’t make it good.

Amen. Yes, it is a mediocre song, both lyrically and musically. As for the progressive social ethics, I am sure that many Nashville elites would love nothing more than to see the country fan base turn in that direction, so they have no problem touting Musgraves and Brandy Clark. As for other and better traditional country artists, they will continue to be ignored.

Look, if you broach political subjects in your music, you run the risk of alienating yourself from certain listeners, and we are seeing that in full force right now with Kacey. If you listen to her album, there’s two, maybe three songs that are “political” in some way, but of course those are the tracks her label decided to release, specifically for the controversy they would brew which would result in enhanced media coverage. I’ve second guessed every one of her singles aside from “Merry Go ‘Round,” and I think if they had released “The Trailer Song” and “Silver Lining,” traditionalists would be singing her praises right now, AND I think they would have fared better on radio. But they didn’t, and now she’s known as some lefty with a flat delivery.

But my suggestion would be to not let political ideology keep you from good music. Kacey Musgraves did not perform “Follow Your Arrow” at the CMA Awards, even though it was up for an award. She performed a Loretta Lynn song, with Loretta Lynn. It was Kacey’s time slot. She could have done whatever she wanted with it within the time restrictions. And she decided to feature Loretta and one of Loretta’s songs instead of her own. I think that sends a message just as much as any of Kacey’s political songs.

Kacey Musgraves is not the ideal country music savior by any stretch, but she is shifting things in a better direction and in a big way, and I think this should be celebrated, not admonished simply because it doesn’t fit a perfect ideal.

The point I’m trying to make is that you’re putting undue limitations on your music experience if you don’t allow yourself to enjoy this performance with Loretta Lynn just because Kacey has released politically-charged material in the past.

As I’ve said many times, I hate whenever any artist mixes politics with music, even if I agree with them. Politics and music are like oil and water, and whether it’s Kacey Musgraves, Toby Keith, or Steve Earle, I don’t blame anyone for not wanting to listen to their music because of the political sentiments. At the same time, if you admonish an artist’s entire body of work because of politics, in my opinion you’re doing yourself a disservice. Life’s too short.

I don’t think “Follow Your Arrow” is some great song. But I’m glad for the artist, and glad traditional country got highlighted on the CMA’s.

I don’t know exactly what to say to that but I can’t walk away from it either. If your stomach doesn’t ache listening to Sunday Morning Coming Down I can only be sad for you. That would be like … not getting totally hot from the bass line in Hot August Night. Shit! Now I have to go dig thru the vinyl again!

In country music it it groundbreaking. Nobody else had sung about that before other than a quick line from Shooter Jennings on “Southern Family Anthem” that got no radio play. That song is more country than 90% of all other mainstream stuff.

Willie put her on his tour partly because of how groundbreaking and against the grain in country music that song was, he liked it and the fact that Kacey sings what she wants to not what will give her the typical country audience much like him before.

Honestly, who cares what she wore? She sounded great up there with Loretta, singing actual country music. And besides, she STILL dressed classier than anyone on a POP/R&B awards show would have dressed.

Here’s something to think about, this little girl that’s like 15 who likes the garbage they call “country” said that Kacey was an impersonator and that she is as country as Taylor Swift, now tell me if that’s a bunch of bullshit.

“Kacey Musgraves has crafted a way to make traditional country seem cool and hip again…”

That’s a good point. Usually the knock on traditional country (and by extension its fans) is that it’s old, obsolete, and outdated. But I see no reason why country music can’t be both rooted in tradition and “progressive,” at the same time. And right now, I guess Kacey Musgraves embodies that combination within the mainstream.

I have to admit I find myself very underwhelmed by Kacey Musgraves career so far. I love her voice, but I find the songs she puts out to just be kind of bland. I think she could be phenomenal, it’s just so far I haven’t really felt a deep soul/emotion come from any of her work.

I find someone like Brandy Clark to be a much stronger example of a woman doing traditional country with some modern sensibility.

I like both artists quite a bit — and I think it’ll be interesting to see where Kacey’s career goes as she matures — but being closer in age to Brandy than Kacey, I’m finding Brandy’s work generally more satisfying and relatable, as well as more akin to the ’80s and early-to-mid ’90s country I grew up with.

Kacey Musgraves was the reason Brandy Clark was able to make a record, Kacey Musgraves is the reason Brandy Clark just got signed to a major label, and Kacey Musgraves is now the reason that Brandy Clark has a CMA Award sitting on her mantle. That is the promise, and the importance of an artist like Kacey Musgraves. I completely agree that a lot about her presentation comes off as flat. I have been openly critical of many aspects of Kacey Musgraves from the beginning. But the promise of Kacey is that she can open doors for artists of more substance, more traditional artists, and for females, and we see this in action with Brandy Clark. Sometimes it takes an artist that is a little more palatable to open up possibilities for ones that are more pure. It used to be that way for pop stars in country. Now it’s that way for traditionalists. That is why Kacey Musgraves is so important.

Agree. That’s why although I’m not a fan, I truely enjoyed her win in the song of the year category for the impact it could have on the industry. Her first words where not thank you or omg taylor swift face, but about the potential impact on country music. About the exact opposite reaction shown but Luke Bryan when he won ETOY. Can you believe that idiot didn’t even mention Strait in his acceptance speech?

But the way Kacey said what she said, she might as well been talking about a meatloaf sandwich … meh. I think there’s an app for that, or at least a coach. I really believe this failure to project her personality is going to break her.

At this point, seeing artists like Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Vince Gill, George Strait, Wade Bowen, Sturgill Simpson, Drive-By Truckers & others get the recognition that they truly deserve. Outside of Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and FGL being given (yes, they were given to them based off of record sales/popularity and not artistic merit) awards they haven’t earned, this was an important step in the right direction for country music. I only hope that it will continue into 2015.

I look forward to seeing that as well. I did get a great sense of satisfaction out of seeing how out of place Jason Aldean was with his performance. He looked so damn uncomfortable out there. Maybe I’m being evil but I don’t give a damn. I enjoyed it with glee.

Then one can make the argument that Miranda is just as popular, if not more so, than Luke Bryan. You are also correct in saying that his win doesn’t sit well with a lot of folks. To present someone with an award for shaking their skinny jean ass at an audience mostly made up of teenage girls and featherbrained women (ladies, I’m talking about the fangirls who think he can do no wrong, not all women), not to mention the majority of his songs are bro-country. This is why our beloved genre is in the Dark Ages & why its slow to come out of this dreadful period. To win over a living legend like Strait and someone like Miranda (whose album is superior in every way to Bryan’s) is a black mark on country music.

You have to consider the eligibility period. It runs from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the current year. Luke churned out a double-platinum album and three platinum #1 singles (including the awful but wildly popular double-platinum “That’s My Kind of Night”) during that period, along with touring heavily. Miranda’s Four the Record (released in 2011) was stale by the time the eligibility year rolled around, and Platinum wasn’t released until June 3 of this year; and she only had one top 10 during the period. Blake had a platinum album and three top 10 singles, and Keith’s active album during the period only went platinum and he had three top 10’s. King George had a Gold album and his only single during the year topped out at #23.

Based on the quantitative facts he simply deserved the award more than any of the other nominees. I don’t like Luke Bryan any more than anybody else, but I came to understand a long time ago that it is what it is. I stopped watching the show years ago when I realized that the CMA and the mainstream country music establishment no longer primarily represents the sort of music I like to listen to.

I get exactly what you’re saying and that’s the bone of contention I have with folks like the CMA people.

There used to be a time when people made music for love and passion they had for it, as well as honing their craft and getting better at doing what they loved. We saw artists win awards not because they were popular or had style. But because they had substance to back up that style. What sticks in my craw is that these daggone award shows have become nothing more than popularity contests with the occasional award being given to someone who actually cares about their craft and the quality of music that they put out to the fans. That’s why I damn near put my fist through my TV when Luke won an award most feel that he doesn’t deserve. And no wonder a lot of people are up in arms about it.

Tom, thanks for going to the trouble of explaining that. I think we need to be as clear-eyed and objective as possible about the criteria used to determine the recipient of Entertainer of the Year and other awards.

That is what got a lot of folks madder than an unpaid hooker. It ain’t the fact that that George Strait didn’t win. I would’ve been okay with Keith Urban or Blake Shelton (with some minor misgivings) winning it. They gave him an award for showing zero talent, shaking his skinny jean-clad ass for a crowd full of teenage girls and women who want to be in bed with him. If we’re talking about popularity, then the sane can be said for Miranda. The major differences being that she writes the majority of her albums and/or select songs that are damn good (Something’ Bad wasnt good at all though.) and she’s very popular with strong album sales. And she does one thing Luke doesn’t and that’s actually being able to hold a damn note. The CMAs are a travesty and after this year, I will no longer be watching it.

If Little Big Town just performed looking like human glowsticks at a rave, brung down MY performance with theirs and then the majority of the performers that night delivering subpar performances? Hell, I reckon I’d be a bit grouchy too. Can’t say I blame her. Only consolation would be that I beat out Luke Bryan for ever award except EOTY.

When it comes to Miranda: that’s kinda hard to see when she writes fiery songs like “Gunpowder & Lead” and “Kerosene.”

As for Ms. Musgraves, I can’t say she has a great or a cold personality based on the fact that I don’t know her from a hole in a wall. So I tend not to assume I know people unless I…y’all know: actually MEET them.

I, too, am underwhelmed by Kacey. Her songwriting skills are a lot better than her vocal skills, but I wouldn’t be working on my Songwriter’s Hall of Fame acceptance speech if I were her. Her vocal skills would have to improve to be mediocre.

So what, out of all the mainstream country artists today, only a very small percentage of them can actually sing. Most of them would be screwed if it wasn’t for auto-tune and other voice altering tools.

It’s true that there have been and will continue to be “singers” of all genres who really aren’t very good singers. But it’s hardly unreasonable to want a vocalist to actually have some vocal talent above being able to carry a tune. Think of it this way, you might have someone who’s a good screenwriter but can’t act. You wouldn’t want to sit through a movie they starred in, now would you?

@Michael – No, it wasn’t. I’d say “I Don’t Dance” or even “Give Me Back My Hometown” are, technically speaking, better songs. The better question is why was the song nominated? There are so many better, genuinely traditional country songs out there. The ONLY reason it was nominated was because of it’s political message, plain and simple.

As for Brandy Clark, I’m not too familiar with here work. If she’s similar to Kacey, I won’t like her.

I like Eric Church but he had no chance of winning that award over anybody else nominated either. He is like Shooter Jennings in that respect. His album overall was better but Kacey had the more standout song simply because it was a first in country music and was composed more along traditional lines regardless of the lyrcs on top of that. .

For everybody complaining about “follow your arrow” and it’s liberal message and such. The song was written about Brandy Clark so think about that. Brandy was the inspiration for that entire song.

At wasn’t so much a song written to gain political points it was written about someone. talk all you want about other points but first and foremost it is a song based on someone’s life, Brandy Clark’s and is a telling of not giving a crap about what other people think of you.

I’m a Kacey fan, but I also think Follow Your Arrow is a weak song. I don’t think it should have won this award, and I think this may be the CMA’s throwing the critics a bone.

I’m still happy to see Kacey featured, like I said I am a fan. This is a weak song but her album was strong in my opinion. It wasn’t the hardest country around, but it was a good mix of traditional country and pop country with mostly strong songs. I don’t care that she lacks range in her voice, her delivery and interpretation make up for it. I never considered Loretta to be a strong vocalist either (flame suit on). Now, if only Kacey, or anyone, had Loretta’s personality.

Also, I think it’s obvious that she knows she has great legs and uses it to her advantage. That doesn’t bother me, probably because I love a great pair of legs. I don’t think that dress was a great choice though. Normally I’d say a woman without panties is a sexy thought, but she looked really uncomfortable and awkward up there.

@Michael – That is not true. According to Kacey, “I had a friend who was moving to Paris for like five months and she was leaving everything she was comfortable with behind ”” even the language,” she said. “I gave her a little arrow necklace and on the card I wrote a dumb little poem. It said something about following your arrow and kissing lots of boys and having fun. But I saved the idea because I thought it would make a really great song.”

Even that aside, Brandy Clark was a co-writer. It’s pretty weird to co-write a song about yourself.

She also mentioned in another article that part of the song came from a poem the other part came from inspiration from Brandy Clark. The “kiss lots of boys” came from the poem the “kiss lots of girls” and “light up a joint” came from Brandy Clark. It turned into a bigger Idea after the poem.

My question is, why does Kacey Musgraves have “substance” and say, Carrie Underwood does not? I used Carrie as an example because I’ve not seen her touted nearly as much as Kacey on this website. Are you actually just basing your writings on this website on how “traditional” someone sounds? While someone like Carrie may have ventured into some country pop, she still has a lot of songs about very substantial things. I guess I’m not sure how Saving country music = making more traditional sounding country. I’m a fan of old and new country and I just don’t understand how having certain phrasing and instruments makes someone of more substance. Kacey’s bleak outlook on songs like “Merry go ’round” may resonate with glass half empty type country fans, but more upbeat and small town praising artists make emotional songs better than hers all the time. I don’t think Kacey is being pushed by industry people because of her older sound, I think it’s because of her broader political and social views that they can make more money with. It’s just nice that you can wrap that kind of progressive thought with a more traditional sound. Vocally she isn’t great, lyrically she is good. The radio play and sales of follow your arrow clearly show that the award was a “political” one given. I would wager “I don’t dance” which was played non stop here in NC/SC would have been picked by actual fans over FYA. But thus is industry politics. Also, she does just seem like a unpleasant kind of girl. And the “Do you realize what this means for CM” comment was so arrogant! Country music fans didn’t give her that award- I don’t think it will have much Impact past last night. Just my opinion of course.

Hold on just a second. First off, if you go and read this site’s coverage from the CMA Awards, it is pretty obvious I felt Carrie Underwood’s “Something In The Water” was the highlight of the entire night, and said as much. I also wrote a glowing review for the song when it was first released. The reason there has been so much coverage for Kacey lately is because her name has been in the news while Carrie hasn’t released new music in a couple of years (except one song, which I covered). And just because I mention Kacey doesn’t mean I’m saying something positive. I have written numerous articles criticizing her and her camp for mishandling the opportunities they’ve been given.

I would suggest everyone who has a problem with Kacey Musgraves go read this article:

As for this charge that traditionalism = substance. With all due respect, that is an assumption, and not based on any actual coverage from Saving Country Music. Yes, one of the charges of Saving Country Music is to see more country music actually sound like country music, but that is not a requisite to music being declared good. See Carrie Underwood’s “Something In The Water” review. I also say as a maxim on this site, “Just because it is country, doesn’t mean it is good.” You would be blown away by the amount of music I am sent that is VERY VERY country, but absolutely awful, worse than Bro-Country. And they think just because this site’s called “Saving Country Music,” I should have nothing but positive things to say about it.

Yes, the country music industry is using Kacey Musgraves to tout how they’re more forward thinking blah blah blah. But would we rather they do this, or just keep touting Bro-Country?

Just my two cents. Kacey’s attitude seems to be that she’s “above it all”. Just a perception. I think someone like Miranda has more cred when it comes to modern country by a female artist. (and still doing it “country”).

What people don’t want to admit who hate on Bryan, Swindell, FGL and the like is that their songs have actual “hooks” and are popular. Popular doesn’t always mean good, but there’s something to their success.

The show last night was for a broader audience (i.e. Doobies, Grande, Meghan Trainor etc.) and so bro-country isn’t dead by a long shot. Yes, the cliches are tiresome but at the same time I don’t care to be lectured musically by “progressives” who seem to have contempt for more than half the country audience.

I’ve read the comments made on Ms. Musgraves’s personality. Keep in mind we’ve only seen her on award shows, live music sets and in interviews. We don’t know how she is offstage and in her private life. She may be completely different. Who knows….

Well I don’t know Kacey Musgraves, so I can’t personally attest to the quality of her personality, but I did enjoy this clip of her talking about her musical influences and digging through the stacks at a local Nashville record shop:

I have to respectfully disagree. Some of the greatest songs from legends of every genre have had political content. From Haggard’s “Okie From Muskogee” to CCW’s “Fortunate Son” to Neil Young’s “Southern Man”. I enjoy the hell out of all those songs (and the folks who sing them) even though I don’t agree 100% with the views expressed in the lyrics.

“Follow Your Arrow” makes a statement on the culture of the time, viewed from one perspective. Plenty of other country artists (past and present) do the same in their music.

If anyone has a problem with it not fitting into their neat “left vs right” worldview, then they may as well throw out all their Cash, Nelson, Haggard, Jennings, Daniels, Williams Jr., and Kristofferson records too, along with Sturgill Simpson, Hayes Carll, Corb Lund, and a host of other contemporary artists who are making some of the best country music of the past 20 years.

Obviously there’s exceptions when it comes to political songs. I think the best songwriters figure out to say what they want to say in a way that is subtle enough where the sentiment rings universal. Also some music, like reggae and some folk music for example, is meant to have elements of social justice in them because that is at the roots of the music.

I hate Neil Young’s “Southern Man/” I think it is simplistic, stereotypical, and hurtful. But it won’t keep me from thinking “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” is one of the greatest records of all time.

Not liking “Southern Man” is fine, but one can’t dismiss it’s place in music history or the light it sheds on the culture of the time. Without it, we would never have had Skynyrd’s counter song “Sweet Home Alabama”. I heard both songs on the radio just yesterday.

Hell, “Follow Your Arrow” isn’t even what I would consider a politically charged song. I do however think it reflects how a large and growing percentage of young adults feel about the world today, and it connects with those people. Any free to write the counter song to “Follow Your Arrow” (maybe they’ll call it “Stay In Your Box”). But that song has already been written. There are more songs than I can count espousing what is generally considered “traditional” values, but that doesn’t mean that country music = conservative politics, any more than say rock or jazz or any other musical genre.

In another comment you wondered about the vitriol aimed at this young woman, and really I think this is what it boils down to. As I said before, the political polarization in this country is a cancer, and it’s bred a culture of “That person holds different views than me, therefore they must be terrible and I hate them.” I don’t think Neil and Ronnie would hold with that.

But she has invited it to some degree by coming out of the gate with politically tinged singles before she has really established a wide fan base. She has turned off many people who may otherwise have been big fans of her sound and seeming respect for country music.

Kacey definitely isn’t the savior of country music. However, for her and Brandy Clark to win a CMA last night is a giant step in the right now direction and says a lot about how folks are feeling about the whole bro-country movement or as I like to call it: the Dark Ages. Bro-country is on its way out the door and if folks like Kacey, Sturgill, Ryan, Stoney, Jason (Isbell and Boland), Wade Bowen, among others, continue to release kick ass country music…bro-country will die a quick death. Take notice of the songs that were performed last night. The only idiot to do a bro-country song was Jason Aldean and all of you saw how out of place and uncomfortable he was onstage (not to mention, horribly off-key).

Sorry she looked like someone who dressed up for Halloween as a country singer. A complete caricature. Add in the pitchy, monotone voice, and the emotionless delivery and you get a big yawn. On second thought maybe she needed that big bump hairdo to support her ego. She obviously has a high opinion of herself “Do you know what this means for country music?” If one of the less favored artists of this site had made such a self absorbed statement the backlash would have been overwhelming.

Trigger ….I think anyone who thinks bro -country is THE be- all- and- end- all (as so many people seem to , judging by downloads and concert attendance) , would have a VERY difficult time wrapping their heads around where where Kasey Musgraves is coming from . She is a polar opposite to the ‘accepted’ ‘ country ‘ played on mainstream radio today . However I get that and appreciate why a Bro-fan may not connect to the real deal .

Kasey is a throwback…yes- in some respects. But MAN do we need Miranda and Brandy , Erin Enderlin and Kasey right now . And as I mentioned in an earlier post , I think the CMA’s have finally come to understand how badly COUNTRY music need those kinds of writers and performers . I heard an awful lot of forgettable fluff from a lot of performers on that show last night …from LBT to Dierks to Aldean , Urban and even Brad Paisley . When there’s little to no substance and the style wears thin , you ain’t left with much of anything .

BTW anyone taking the time to listen to Kasey’s album would find more personality in those songs , those sentiments , those arrangements , those deliveries and those hooky melodies than the next ten writer/performers combined . So her ‘lack of personality’ as alluded to above seems a moot point .

I am a bit shocked to see people coming so hard against her. I find her refreshing, and I am not supporter of pot.

She is gorgeously charming, and in a world with artists like Aldean and Fla-Ga line, we should be praising the heavens for an artist who actually rights their own songs and has lyrical content that encompasses more than beer. So what if “follow your arrow” is mainstream, everyone knows the singles on the album are often the worst songs.

There is an elegent austerity to Kacey that I find very interesting and highly attractive. The fact that she can hand in a traditional performance as well is the cherry on top.

Nice to see some ‘proper’ country at the awards but why can’t it just be Loretta Lynn by herself? Same thing happened a few years ago when the Lynn tribute album was coming out – stars of the day singing and the Ms Lynn wheeled out at the end. Either way, the best clip I’ve seen from the show.

You know mainstream country music has become incredibly lame and predictable when there is so much conversation over this ONE song.Outside of being a decent album to listen to when in the dentist chair as an alternative to gas because it makes you want to sleep so bad,I still fail to see what the big deal is about this girl.

not for nothin but i dont like the way she treeted tim tebo at the award show. tim tebo is a american gem an may be it was a axsident but it looks like she was meen to him on purpass. i thank shes grate but that was tim tebo. evan a tide fan like me can respect tim tebo.

If I had let people’s ideology and political beliefs effect my decision making, I probably wouldn’t be watching any movies/TV shows, listening to music, or eating fine cuisine. As Trigger said, life is too short to dwell on things you disagree with other people on.

Enjoy the music and other good things in life and don’t get hung up on people who aren’t exactly like you.

First, SCM is one of the few sites where you can actually read the comments to an article and feel like a good conversation is taking place. It is a credit to Trigger and the readers of the site that comments are mostly on point and thoughtful.

Second, I think Kasey is above average compared to most of today’s country music but there are so many that are better (Karen Jonas, Sturgill, etc.) that don’t get the same attention. Maybe she will open the door to better artists which would be a very good thing.

Third, I think some of her popularity has nothing to do with her music and is the reason some of the backlash against her. The skimpy clothes, the panty issue at the CMA and her association with Katy Perry all hurt her reputation with many of us.

Lastly, no way Follow Your Arrow wins anything without the mildly pro pot and homosexual references. She touched on two of the most popular topics for left of center crowd and she was rewarded for it. The same quality of song that referenced an opposite point of view would have been killed by all of the cool people in the media.

Its surprising to me that people have such an issue with her demeanor… I’m not putting her in the same category at all because she’s not, but nobody seems to mind Sturgill’s indifferent, cold, unassuming disposition. I guess Sturgill is just being a bitch.

The backlash for Kacey on this site is surprising. Most of the visitors commenting are more mainstream fans here for the awards show.

Recently Kacey has:
-paid tribute to Alan Jackson, with Lee Ann Womack at the CMT Awards
-paid tribute to Patsy Cline/Willie Nelson covering Crazy on ABC’s 15 songs that changed country music.
-Duet with legend Loretta Lynn on one of Loretta’s songs at the CMA Awards. Single best moment and most traditional country moment of the night.

She seems to have a respect for traditional country music, she’s gorgeous, and she seems to be herself and stand up for what she believes in.

Is she Tammy Wynette vocally? No. Am I crazy about her music? Not really. Is she standing up for traditional country music more than any other popular mainstream artist? Absolutely.

Country music needs more than just a gentle tug to get it back on the right track–it needs a major push! If Kacey Musgraves is the lever needed to do the job, then that is just fine with me. We don’t have to follow her all the way down whatever path we might think she is on, after all. Just far enough to get us the fuck out of this mess we are in!!

She is in as good a position to Save Country Music as anyone else.

(Very well written piece, by the way. The best short news article I have read on this site.)

Put me in the “just don”™t like her” camp. Like it or not everything today IS political and personally I don”™t like that kind of garbage spewing out of the radio. My kids don”™t need to hear about gay sex or smoking pot. It”™s a major reason my wife came over from pop radio stations to country. Now country is pop and tending progressive. It sucks and I hate it and I have a right to that opinion, so call me closed minded, I”™ve heard it before.

Toby Keith is a former conservative Democrat (ie. moderate) who opposed the Iraq War, supports gay marriage, and has spoken very favorably of Obama. Justin Moore, like many people, likes guns – that’s not a right-wing issue. Vermont, the most liberal state, has some of the most lax gun laws in the country. Hank Jr. has achieved no awards or commercial success with his recent political songs, and has in fact lost support because of it.

How exactly do any of these compare with a young singer who is winning awards entirely because she writes songs that are liberal? Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, and Toby Keith all support gay marriage and have no issue with alienating anyone, because they don’t push explicit political themes in their songs.

Justin Moore also has “Good ole American Way” from his first album which he starts off in concert by saying ‘I shouldn’t have to press 2 for Spanish”

The point behind me mentioning Toby is even though he is a Democrat he made his career and most of his money and notoriety of his 2001-2005 stuff which was a bit on the right.

The two songs that Kacey is “progressive” on were co-written by Brandy Clark who has experience with pot and being gay. Less a liberal pushing thing, more of a experience song which is what country is about.

Kacey’s stage mate at the CMA’s was also once outspoken on controversial issues of the time, “pill” comes to mind. Follow Your Arrow to me is like Pill.

Kacey just for everybody’s information is a Libertarian not a progressive liberal.

Just for the record, IMO, progressive liberals and libertarians are cut from the same cultural cloth. Socially liberal. Not making a pronouncement whether that’s necessarily good or bad but she’s on the same side of the divide.

Kacey isn’t talking about gay sex or smoking marijuana. The song was inspired by Brandy Clark (one of the co-writers of the song), who is gay. There’s a clear difference between singing about accepting someone who is gay and gay sex itself. Not to mention, the song is about accepting folks for who they are, regardless of what they do in their own time behind their own doors. Think you’re misinterpreting the lyrics, bud.

I think Kasey is talented (and gorgeous). I feel like she just doesn’t much like playing the showbiz game. She’s there to sing her songs and not kiss anyone’s ass, which is sort of coming back to bite her in hers. She just hasn’t achieved the level of fame to be able to give off that air. Speaking of female talents, has anyone else heard of Sonia Leigh? She had a minor hit a while back with a song called Money. I saw her perform with Zac Brown a few years ago and thought she was really good. Totally off topic, I know, but she popped into my mind.

I’m still baffled by the handful of comments calling Kacey a plain Jane type of singer and woman, as far as looks are concerned.

Are we looking at the same woman? She’s an effing knockout, for pete’s sake. Thinking otherwise is simply looking at too many airbrushed photos and having unrealistic expectations of what beautiful women should be. Kacey is absolutely stunning.